Projectile discharge apparatus

ABSTRACT

A projectile discharge apparatus  10  having a first generally planar ribbed portion  12  and opposed side portions  14  which form a hand reception recess. Apparatus  10  includes a plurality of chambers  24, 26, 28, 30,  and  32  which are adapted to movably receive a dart  34.  Apparatus  10  further includes a first member  56  which is movably deployed within each of the chambers  32  and which is movable from a first position to a second dart dispensing position by a downward movement of member  66.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a projectile discharge apparatus and moreparticularly to an apparatus containing several projectiles, such asrubber tipped darts, which may be selectively discharged.

2. Discussion

In the past twenty-five years, toy projectile apparatuses and morespecifically dart guns have changed very little. Todays toy marketrequires toys with advanced capabilities and a futuristic appearance.There is therefore a need to provide an apparatus which willrevolutionize the entire field of toy projectile apparatuses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a first object of this invention to provide an apparatus whichallows an individual to discharge two or more projectiles simultaneouslyor successively.

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus whichallows an individual to contain two or more projectiles in the lockedand loaded or ready to fire position.

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus whichallows an individual to discharge projectiles from an apparatus whichrests on top of the back side of a hand.

Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention aprojectile apparatus or glove is provided. The glove includes severalchambers which selectively receive a projectile; and discharge means,deployed in the chambers, for selectively discharging the containedprojectiles.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from a reading of the specification andby reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective top view of a projectile apparatus madein accordance with the teachings of a first embodiment of this inventionand shown in deployable relation upon a hand as a projectile is beingdischarged;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective side view of the glove shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 taken in the directionof arrow 3;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 andtaken along view line 4—4;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 4 and illustrating thedischarge of the projectile shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway sectional view of the movement mechanismshown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of a projectile apparatus made inaccordance with the teachings of a second embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a projectile dischargeapparatus 10 made in accordance with the teachings of a first embodimentof this invention. As shown, apparatus 10 has a generally ribbed andsubstantially planar first portion 12 and opposed and downwardlyextending side portions 14 which cooperate with planar portion 12 toform a generally cup-shaped recess which is adapted to overlay the backside of hand 16, opposite palm 17. Moreover, portion 12 further includesa thumb reception opening 18 through which thumb 20 is received and aband 22 which is adapted to removably secure apparatus 10 to hand 16.

As further shown, apparatus 10 includes five projectile receptionchambers 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32 which are adapted to dischargedlyreceive unique projectiles 34, such as rubber tipped darts. Tounderstand the manner in which darts 34 are contained within anddischarged from apparatus 10, reference is now made to FIGS. 4-6. Itshould be noted that the following discussion relates to chamber 32 butthat the discussion is also substantially descriptive of each of theother chambers 24, 26, 28, and 30.

As shown, chamber 32 includes a first narrow portion 50 which has adiameter slightly larger than the diameter of the body 51 of dart 34. Inthis manner, dart 34 is frictionally secured within portion 50.Moreover, chamber 34 also includes a dart discharge member 52 having afirst portion 54 which is longitudinally deployed within chamber 32 anda second flanged portion 56 which is coupled to a spring 58. As shown,portion 58 further includes an outwardly and horizontally projectingportion 60 having a recessed portion 61 which is in selective engagementwith trigger member 64. Member 64 is pivotally deployed within chamber32 and includes a rounded portion 66 which is adapted to substantiallyencircle finger 68thumb 20.

In operation, member 56 is pushed or biased against spring 58 beforedart 34 is deployed within chamber 32. After such biasing has occurred,member 64 is moved to a first locking position in which portion 64engages and is contained in recessed portion 61 thereby preventing thebiased spring from moving member 56 within the chamber 32. Subsequently,dart 34 is frictionally deployed within portion 50 of chamber 32. Whenit is desired to shoot or discharge dart 34, portion 66 is moveddownward thereby disengaging portion 61 from portion 60. Upon suchdisengagement, biased spring 58 pushes member 56 in a longitudinalmanner within chamber 32. Such movement, shown in phantom in FIG. 5,causes air residing within the chamber to be compressed and to forcedart 34 outward from apparatus 10. In a similar manner, each of theother darts 24-30 may be concurrently or successively dispensed or shotfrom apparatus 10 by the movement of identical portions 66 within eachof the other chambers 24-30.

While this first embodiment of apparatus 10 is satisfactory, in order toincrease the distance travelled by dart 34 it was found to be necessaryto increase the discharge force applied to dart 34. To increase dartdischarge force, a modified member 56′ was used and is shown in FIG. 7.Specifically, member 56′ differs from member 56 in that member 56′includes a substantially longer and narrower portion 54′ which is madeto actually contact dart 34 upon a downward movement of portion 66. Inthis manner, dart 34 may be moved farther than is possible with thefirst embodiment of apparatus 10.

It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art thatprojectile discharge apparatus 10 will also allow for a quick andefficient playing of the game of darts and increase the enjoymentassociated therewith. Moreover, it should also be appreciated by one ofordinary skill in the art that darts 34 may be replaced with other typesof projectiles such as paint balls. Use of these projectiles may requirechambers 24-32 to be modified in size and shape in order to allow forthe desired and aforedescribed projectile frictional engagement withinthe chambers 24-32 and may further require modifications to portions 54and 54′, necessary to adequately discharge these alternate projectiles.Moreover, it should further be appreciated that alternate means ofprojectile discharge (i.e. air chambers) may be used. Moreover, itshould also be apparent that multiple projectiles may simultaneously orsuccessively discharged from apparatus 10.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exactconstruction or method illustrated and described above, but that variouschanges and modifications may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A projectile apparatus comprising: a planar portion having afirst chamber and a second chamber; a first projectile which is movablydeployed within said first chamber; a second projectile which is movablydeployed within said second chamber; a first movement means deployedwithin said first chamber and selectively activated to discharge saidfirst projectile from said first chamber; a second movement meansdeployed within said second chamber and selectively activated todischarge said second projectile from said second chamber; means forpositioning said planar portion on top of a hand of an operator of saidprojectile apparatus; a first release mechanism means adjacent saidplanar portion, said first release mechanism means activating said firstmovement means, said first release mechanism means adapted to align witha first extended finger of said hand for actuation by said firstextended finger; and a second release mechanism means adjacent saidplanar portion, said second release mechanism means activating saidsecond movement means, said second release mechanism means adapted toalign with a second extended finger of said hand for actuation by saidsecond extended finger, each said first and second release mechanismmeans being thereby adapted for actuation individually by separateindividual fingers of said hand for successive or simultaneous dischargeof said first and second projectiles, whereby the same said handpositions said planar portion and actuates said first and second releasemechanism means.
 2. The projectile apparatus of claim 1, wherein eachsaid first and second projectile is a suction tipped dart.
 3. Theprojectile apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for positioning saidplanar portion is a band which selectively attaches said planar portionto said hand.
 4. The projectile apparatus of claim 1 wherein at leastone said release mechanism means extends outwardly away from said planarportion, said release mechanism means having a finger reception recessadapted to correspond with a curvature of a respective said finger ofsaid hand.
 5. The projectile apparatus of claim 4 wherein said planarportion has a forward end, said projectiles being released from saidplanar portion at said forward end, said release mechanism meansextending from said planar portion at a location in close proximity tosaid forward end.
 6. The projectile apparatus of claim 1 wherein atleast one said release mechanism means extends from said planar memberat a position adapted to be beyond a palm area of said hand with respectto said operator so that the release mechanism means is activated by theunder surface of a respective finger.
 7. The projectile apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein at least one said release mechanism means includes aportion generally perpendicular to said planar portion.
 8. Theprojectile apparatus of claim 1 wherein said planar portion includes athird chamber, said projectile apparatus further comprising: a thirdprojectile which is movably deployed within said third chamber; a thirdmovement means deployed within said third chamber and selectivelyactivated to discharge said third projectile from said third chamber; athird release mechanism means adjacent said planar portion, said thirdrelease mechanism means activating said third movement means, said thirdrelease mechanism means adapted to align with a third extended finger ofsaid hand for actuation by said third extended finger.
 9. A projectileapparatus comprising: a planar portion and opposed side portions whichcooperatively form a hand reception recess adapted for a hand of anapparatus operator; a first chamber received within said planar portion,said first chamber extending along a first axis; a second chamberreceived within said planar portion, said second chamber extending alonga second axis generally parallel to said first axis; a first projectilewhich is movably deployed within said first chamber; a second projectilewhich is movably deployed within said second chamber; a first movementmeans deployed within said first chamber and selectively activated todischarge said first projectile from said first chamber; a secondmovement means deployed within said second chamber and selectivelyactivated to discharge said second projectile from said second chamber;a first release mechanism extending outwardly away from said planarportion and having a curved portion, said first release mechanismactivating said first movement means, said first release mechanismadapted to align with a first finger of said hand, said curved portionadapted to correspond with a curvature of said first finger foractuation by said first finger; and a second release mechanism extendingoutwardly away from said planar portion and having a curved portion,said second release mechanism activating said second movement means,said second release mechanism adapted to align with a second finger ofsaid hand, said curved portion adapted to correspond with a curvature ofsaid second finger for actuation by said second finger, each said firstand second release mechanisms being thereby adapted for actuationindividually by separate individual fingers of said hand for successiveor simultaneous discharge of said first and second projectiles, wherebythe same said hand positions said planar portion and actuates said firstand second release mechanisms.
 10. The projectile apparatus of claim 9,wherein each of said projectiles is a rubber tipped dart.
 11. Theprojectile apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a band whichselectively attaches said apparatus to said hand.
 12. A toy projectiledischarge apparatus comprising: a plurality of toy projectiles; a planarportion having a plurality of reception chambers, each chamber of saidchambers being adapted to receive one of said plurality of toyprojectiles; a plurality of discharge means, one said plurality ofdischarge means associated with each one of said plurality of chambers,said discharge means discharging said plurality of toy projectiles, saidmeans including an air chamber wherein air is released to impart a forcesufficient to propel said toy projectile from said chamber, each of saidplurality of toy projectiles being directly discharged from one of saidplurality of chambers; a first release mechanism means extendingoutwardly away from said planar portion, said first release mechanismmeans activating one of said discharge means, said first releasemechanism means positioned for actuation by a first finger of a hand ofan Operator operator of said projectile apparatus, said first releasemechanism means positioned for actuation by said first finger; and asecond release mechanism means adjacent said planar portion, said secondrelease mechanism means activating one of said discharge means, saidsecond release mechanism means positioned for actuation by a secondfinger of said hand, said second release mechanism means positioned foractuation by said second finger, each said first and second releasemechanism means being thereby adapted for actuation individually byseparate individual fingers of said hand for successive or simultaneousdischarge of said first and second projectiles, whereby the same saidhand positions said planar portion and actuates said first and secondrelease mechanism means.
 13. The toy projectile discharge apparatus ofclaim 12 wherein said plurality of toy projectiles comprise rubbertipped darts.
 14. The toy projectile discharge apparatus of claim 12wherein said plurality of toy projectiles comprise paint balls.
 15. Thetoy projectile discharge apparatus of claim 12 wherein each said toyprojectile is propelled several feet from each respective said chamber.16. The projectile apparatus of claim 12 wherein each said releasemechanism means extends outwardly away from said planar portion, eachrelease mechanism means having a finger reception recess adapted tocorrespond with a curvature of a respective said finger of said hand.17. A projectile apparatus comprising: a housing having a recess adaptedto overlay the back side of a select hand of an operator, said housinghaving first and second reception chambers; a first projectile sized andshaped to be received within said first reception chamber; a secondprojectile sized and shaped to be received within said second receptionchamber; first discharge means associated with said first receptionchamber for causing a discharge force upon said first projectilesufficient to project said first projectile from said first receptionchamber; second discharge means associated with said second receptionchamber for causing a discharge force upon said second projectilesufficient to project said second projectile from said second receptionchamber; trigger means for triggering said first discharge means andsaid second discharge means, said trigger means being positioned to beengaged by the fingers of the select hand of an operator so that themounting and firing of the apparatus is conducted by a single hand. 18.The projectile apparatus of claim 17 wherein said trigger means may beactuated to trigger said first and second discharge means sequentiallyor substantially simultaneously.
 19. The projectile apparatus of claim17 wherein said first and second discharge means each comprise an airchamber having an opening in fluid communication with said associatedreception chamber, a compressing portion mounted within said air chamberfor reciprocal movement therein, and biasing means for biasing saidcompressing portion toward said air chamber opening, whereby themovement of the compressing portion toward the opening causes air withinthe chamber to be compressed and expelled through the opening into theassociated reception chamber for propelling the projectile therein. 20.The projectile apparatus of claim 17 wherein said first and seconddischarge means each include a channel, moveable member means movablymounted within said channel, spring means biasing said moveable membermeans in one direction, and a grasping portion associated with saidmoveable member means extending from said housing and configured to begrasped by the operator for movement of said moveable member means in adirection opposite said spring means biasing direction.
 21. Theprojectile apparatus of claim 20 wherein said triggering means comprisesa moveable trigger member adapted to releasably engage said moveablemember means.
 22. The projectile apparatus of claim 20 wherein each saidchannel of said first and second discharge means has an opening in fluidcommunication with said associated reception chamber, and wherein saidmoveable member means comprises compressing portion slidably mountedwithin said air chamber for reciprocal movement therein, and whereinsaid spring means biases said moveable member means in a directiontowards said opening, whereby the movement of the compressing portiontoward the opening causes air within the channel to be compressed andexpelled through the opening into the associated reception chamber forpropelling the projectile therein.
 23. The projectile apparatus of claim17 wherein said trigger means comprises a trigger member configured tobe engaged and actuated by the outstretched finger of an operator. 24.The projectile apparatus of claim 20 wherein said moveable membercontacts said projectile for projection of said projectile.